More funding released for Paisley improvements ahead of its bid for City of Culture 2021

The city will officially submit its bid for City of Culture 2021 on Friday

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Paisley's bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 has been boosted by a £45.7m town centre investment package to help host the title.

The investment was given the go-ahead today at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council, which agreed to set aside funds for major infrastructure projects to transform the town centre. Among other things, it includes £22m for the modernisation of the 135-year-old Paisley Town Hall, and £10m for town centre and public realm improvements.

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The money committed today is over and above funding previously set aside for three projects already underway: the new museum store set to open in a basement of a high street unit later this year; the new Paisley Library to be built further up the same street; and a £42m revamp of Paisley Museum . It also comes as a local group – the Paisley Community Trust – prepares to unveil its plans for a cinema and theatre complex in the town centre.

“The package of measures unveiled today shows the scale of our ambition for Paisley and Renfrewshire over the next decade,” council leader Iain Nicolson said.

“We are making sure Paisley is equipped to host the UK City of Culture title while also supporting the wider vision to use our unique and internationally-significant heritage and cultural story to transform the area's future. Paisley town centre needs a boost – and the way we can deliver that is by using what sets us apart to bring people back into town.”

Other measures supported by the funding approved today include the £7.7m redevelopment of St James playing field, £3.5m for a new art exhibition venue, and a £2.5m revamp of Paisley Arts Centre.

The official launch of Paisley's City of Culture bid will be on Friday, with events planned to mark its submission to the UK Government.